Blackjack: Getting Down to Basics
Blackjack is probably the most simple casino card game that exists. The truth is, it simplicity is what's kept its popularity all these years.
People like the fact that the game is so straight to the point and not tangled among a number of rules and regulations. So if you can count to 21, you can play blackjack because that's all there really is to the game.
Basically here's a quick run down of how the game works. First you get dealt 2 cards from the dealer (who by the way is your only opponent).
Then there are two possibilities from here, 1. You get a 21 and have an automatic win or 2. You get another number and have to work towards 21 without going over and losing the game.
The cards are counted as follows: cards 2-10 are worth their value, and Ace is worth 11, unless it would make you pass 21, in which case it would be worth 1. Face cards (King, Queen, and Jack) are worth 10. If you get an Ace and a face card you have blackjack and it's an automatic win unless the dealer has it too in which case it's a tie and no one loses.
The dealer has rules that he must obey and must stop at 17 if he doesn't have a higher number in his initial hand so you can guide yourself with basic strategies based on this factor to determine whether you risk your hand or stand and wait.